Dog-Friendly Beaches in Biarritz

Biarritz's relationship with dogs on beaches is more nuanced than a simple yes or no. The Grande Plage — the famous main beach framed by the Casino and the Hotel du Palais — bans dogs between May 15 and September 15, the full high season. This is a firm rule enforced by beach wardens. Outside those dates, dogs on leads are permitted. But the good news is that Biarritz has alternatives that are genuinely excellent. Plage de la Milady at the southern end of the town has a designated dog-friendly zone year-round. Plage Miramar, just north of the Grande Plage, has a small section at its northern end where dogs are tolerated outside of the high season ban. And five minutes south by car or bus, the village of Bidart offers Plage d'Erretegia, a wilder, more surf-oriented beach where dogs are permitted throughout the year. The Atlantic surf makes all these beaches genuinely exciting for dogs — the waves, the smells, and the wind are a full sensory experience.